Serum Proteomic Analysis in Obese Postmenopausal Women Before and After Multi-Species Probiotic Supplementation

The composition and functions of the gut microbiota can affect the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. Proteomic analysis has become an important tool for characterizing the proteome and identifying serum biomarkers associated with specific conditions in different groups of patients. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the pathophysiological aspects of obesity and the relationship between comorbidities and gut microbiota by characterizing the protein profile in obese postmenopausal women before and after multi-species probiotic supplementation. MALDI-TOF MS analyses were performed in serum samples from the placebo group (24 participants), low-dose probiotic group (24 participants), and high-dose probiotic group (23 participants). Paired comparison analysis of protein–peptide patterns derived from patients at two time points (i.e., before and after treatment) revealed several peaks that changed under treatment. Complement C3, fibrinogen alpha chain, coagulation factor XII, tubulin beta-3 chain, fibrinogen beta chain, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4, and apolipoprotein A-I were identified. Slightly different alterations were observed depending on the administered dose. In summary, the obtained results do not allow us to draw a conclusion regarding the influence of probiotic supplementation on peptide profiles in obese postmenopausal women. However, some of the identified proteins may participate in the complex mechanism involving obesity, dysbiosis, and inflammation.